CIRCA: 1999
CASE MATERIAL: 18k yellow gold
CASE SIZE: 36 mm. diam.
DIAL: Silvered (later dial)
MOVEMENT: Automatic
FUNCTIONS: Perpetual calendar and moon phases
BUCKLE: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle
WITH: Certificate of Origin stamped by Turkish retailer Ziynet Saatcllik ve Aksesuar and dated 28 October 1999, additional case back, setting pin, sales tag, product literature, leather folder, presentation winding box and wooden box.

This endangered species strap is shown for display purposes only and is not for sale. The watch will be supplied with a calf leather strap.

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Lot Essay

Interestingly, this watch, a third series example sold in 1999, was originally fitted with a white dial with Roman numerals, as stated on the Certificate of Origin. It was exhanged to a later date with the present rare second series dial with the ‘Swiss’ logo within the pearled minutes ring and the two-tone 24-hours for day and night.

The modification was not done in the workshops of Patek Philippe and for that reason only, an Extract from the Archives will not be supplied. Naturally, this does not detract from the rarity of the second series dial itself nor its desirability as a beautiful example of reference 3940 accompanied by the full set of accessories.

Reference 3940 was launched in 1985 and discontinued in 2007. It has always been regarded as rather a special watch to collectors and certainly a significant reference in the modern history of Patek Philippe. The 3940’s reputation is further enhanced by the knowledge that the then head of the company, Philippe Stern, chose to wear the model as his everyday watch.

In the 1980s, few complicated wristwatches were generally available, so that the launch of the reference 3940 (at the same time as the perpetual calendar chronograph reference 3970) was a revelation. Its caliber 240-Q movement with micro-rotor enabled the watch to be not only complicated but slimmer at only 9 mm thick. The rotor is made of 22K gold to ensure that the small rotor provides enough weight to power the watch. The model was available in yellow, pink and white gold and platinum.

The design of the dials, in common with many Patek Philippe references, naturally evolved in over twenty years of production resulting in three clearly defined series and some rare variations.

- the 1st Series produced from 1985 to 1988
- the 2nd Series produced from 1988 to 1998
- the 3rd Series produced from 1998 to 2007

Examples of reference 3940 are illustrated and described in: Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches - Volume II, p. 300, and in: Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 292-294.